After the developers complete their projects, they turn the associations over to the property owners — at least in theory.

Then come professional management companies, lawyers, and the sometimes nosy neighbors who sit on the boards. Once at the helm, these people relish the same powers that the developers created for themselves. Who, after all, votes to curb their own power?

It’s essentially privatized government. And there are few checks and balances in this system, except to run for the board yourself — in a year, two-years, or three-years, or whenever the next election comes up. You can also sue, but it’s amazing what that can cost. Or you can move, but in Colorado, odds are high that you’ll just end up in another HOA fiefdom.

HOAs have the power to foreclose on your home, just like any municipality. They can do so very easily. Perhaps too easily. Click here to read my column on a man who may lose his condo to foreclosure after battling his HOA in court.

I also talked about this case with 9News Anchor Shawn Patrick. Click here for a replay.

ALSO: Marotta asked me to post this email from his board. In it, the board appears to be meeting to discuss actions involving Marotta “legal or not.” Click here to read it.